The Leslie Corness Propliner Collection

If you are a fan of aviation history, The Leslie Corness Propliner Collection belongs in your library. The story begins in the 1930s with young Leslie photographic aviation at Edmonton's historic Blatchord Field. The early pages show how his interests evolved as he branched further into photography. Besides aviation photos, therefore, you'll also enjoy Leslie's cityscapes, views of locomotives, trams, ships, etc., all Historic Canadiana by 2005.

In 1956 Leslie went to the Arctic as an Anglican missionary. With the DEW Line in full swing he was in "aviation heaven". You'll marvel at his Kodachromes of everything from CD-3 to C-46, York and C-124. Added to these are rare northern scenes from Yellowknife to Cambridge Bay and Frobisher Bay. Otherwise, be it a wrecked DEW Line cargo plan, a dog team beating its way across the tundra, or the annual summer sea lift, Leslie spared not a frame. An informative text, based largely on his extensive diaries, compliments the photos.

The aviation collection begins with views of the Boeing 247, moves to the Lockheed twins, then the DC-3 through DC-7C and such other important propliners as the Bristol Freighter, Lockheed Constellation series and Viscount. Other eye-popping views show classics like the B-17, B-18, B-23, B-29, Britannia, Lancaster, Mars, PBY, Privateer, Stranraer, Vanguard, even the XR60-1. The great Canadian airlines appear from TCA to CPA, Associated, PWA, QCA, Wardair, Wheeler and World-Wide. The RCAF is also represented. Every photo has a detailed caption giving the where and the when, local particulars and a brief history of each aircraft show (in captions alone there are 20,000 words).

This remarkable book sets a high standard in quality and depth, while connecting you intimately to the photographer himself. You'll see just how remarkable was Leslie's shooting style, how he photographed nearly every airplane he encountered, how form and content equally intrigued him, and how he shot in all conditions. Here was a true aviation "Shutter King"!

The Leslie Corness Propliner Collection portrays one photo hobbyist's travels in Canada, the US, UK, even Africa. Don't be surprised as you turn the pages to see lovely images of such other long-forgotten classics as the Ambassador, Belfast, Beverley, Deux Ponts, Carvair, Hastings and the Viking.